84R8470 PMO-D

By: Bonnen of Galveston H.B. No. 2245

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and the renaming of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association as the Texas Coastal Insurance Association.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2210. TEXAS COASTAL [WINDSTORM] INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

SECTION 2. Section 2210.001, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.001. PURPOSE. The primary purpose of the Texas Coastal [Windstorm] Insurance Association is the provision of an adequate market for windstorm and hail insurance in the seacoast territory of this state. The legislature finds that the provision of adequate windstorm and hail insurance is necessary to the economic welfare of this state, and without that insurance, the orderly growth and development of this state would be severely impeded. This chapter provides a method by which adequate windstorm and hail insurance may be obtained in certain designated portions of the seacoast territory of this state. The association is intended to serve as a residual insurer of last resort for windstorm and hail insurance in the seacoast territory. The association shall:

(1) function in such a manner as to not be a direct competitor in the private market; and

(2) provide windstorm and hail insurance coverage to those who are unable to obtain that coverage in the private market.

SECTION 3. Section 2210.002, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) This chapter may be cited as the Texas Coastal [Windstorm] Insurance Association Act.

(a-1) A reference in this chapter or other law to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association means the Texas Coastal Insurance Association.

SECTION 4. Section 2210.003, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (9-a) to read as follows:

(1) "Administrator" means the entity contractually retained to:

(A) manage the association and administer the plan of operation under Section 2210.062; and

(B) manage the contracts with primary insurers under Section 2210.063.

(1-a) "Association" means the Texas Coastal [Windstorm] Insurance Association.

(9-a) "Primary insurer" means a member insurer that:

(A) has primary coverage for loss by fire on a property that is or may be insured under this chapter; and

(B) acts on behalf of the association under this chapter.

SECTION 5. Section 2210.014, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(b) Chapter 542 does not apply to [the processing and settlement of claims by] the association or to an agent or representative of the association.

(c) A primary insurer, adjuster, agent or representative of the primary insurer, or the administrator contracted under Sections 2210.062 and 2210.063, is an agent of the association for purposes of administering and issuing association policies and adjusting and processing association claims under this chapter.

SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 2210.015 to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.015. STUDY OF MARKET INCENTIVES; BIENNIAL REPORTING. (a) Each biennium, the department shall conduct a study of market incentives to promote participation in the voluntary windstorm and hail insurance market in the seacoast territory of this state. The study must address as possible incentives the mandatory or voluntary issuance of windstorm and hail insurance in conjunction with the issuance of a homeowners policy in the seacoast territory.

(b) The department shall include the results of the study conducted under this section in the report submitted under Section 32.022.

SECTION 7. Subchapter B, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Sections 2210.062, 2210.063, 2210.064, 2210.065, 2210.066, and 2210.067 to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.062. ADMINISTRATION BY CONTRACTED ADMINISTRATOR. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner shall contract with an administrator to manage the association and administer the plan of operation beginning December 1, 2015. The administrator may not exercise any power under the contract before December 1, 2015.

(b) The administrator must hold either a managing general agent license issued under Chapter 4053 or a third-party administrator certificate of authority issued under Chapter 4151.

(c) The term of the administrator's contract may not exceed five years. The contract may be renewed for additional terms not to exceed five years for each term.

(d) In establishing the compensation paid to the administrator under the contract, the commissioner shall consider the cost of operations of the association and make every reasonable effort to ensure that the cost of operations of the association under the contract does not exceed average historical costs.

Sec. 2210.063. CONTRACTS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATOR AND PRIMARY INSURERS. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the administrator shall contract with each primary insurer to administer and issue association policies and adjust and process claims under association policies beginning January 1, 2016. A primary insurer may not exercise any power under the contract before January 1, 2016.

(b) In establishing the compensation paid to each primary insurer under the contract, the administrator shall consider the cost of operations of the association and make every reasonable effort to ensure that the cost of operations of the association under the contract does not exceed average historical costs.

Sec. 2210.064. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. (a) Any information, analyses, programs, or data acquired or created by the administrator under a contract under this chapter are property of the department.

(b) Information, analyses, programs, or data described by Subsection (a) are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

Sec. 2210.065. OFFICE. (a) The administrator shall maintain an office in Austin, Texas.

(b) The commissioner may arrange to lease office space of the department to the administrator.

Sec. 2210.066. AUDIT. (a) The administrator is subject to audit by the commissioner and shall pay the costs incurred by the commissioner in performing an audit under this section in an amount the commissioner finds reasonable.

(b) Work papers, as defined by Section 401.020(a), from an audit are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

Sec. 2210.067. ANNUAL REPORT OF ADMINISTRATOR. (a) Not later than March 1 of each year, the administrator shall submit a report regarding the administrator's duties under this chapter to:

(1) the governor;

(2) the lieutenant governor;

(3) the speaker of the house of representatives;

(4) the senate committee on business and commerce or the successor of that committee with jurisdiction over insurance;

(5) the house committee on insurance or the successor of that committee with jurisdiction over insurance; and

(6) the legislative oversight board established under Subchapter N.

(b) The report must be made in accordance with the terms of the administrator's contract with the department.

SECTION 8. Subchapter B-1, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Section 2210.071 and adding Sections 2210.0715 and 2210.0716 to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.071. PAYMENT OF EXCESS LOSSES[; PAYMENT FROM RESERVES AND TRUST FUND]. [(a)] If, in a catastrophe year, an occurrence or series of occurrences in a catastrophe area results in insured losses and operating expenses of the association in excess of premium and other revenue of the association, the excess losses and operating expenses shall be paid as provided by this subchapter.

Sec. 2210.0715. PAYMENT FROM RESERVES AND TRUST FUND. [(b)] The association shall pay losses in excess of premium and other revenue of the association from available reserves of the association and available amounts in the catastrophe reserve trust fund.

Sec. 2210.0716. PAYMENT FROM CLASS 1 ASSESSMENTS. (a) Losses in a catastrophe year not paid under Section 2210.0715 shall be paid as provided by this section from Class 1 member assessments not to exceed $500 million for that catastrophe year.

(b) The administrator, with the approval of the commissioner, shall notify each member of the amount of the member's assessment under this section. The proportion of the losses allocable to each insurer under this section shall be determined in the manner used to determine each insurer's participation in the association for the year under Section 2210.052.

(c) A member of the association may not recoup an assessment paid under this section through a premium surcharge or tax credit.

[(c) Losses not paid under Subsection (b) shall be paid from the proceeds from public securities issued in accordance with this subchapter and Subchapter M and, notwithstanding Subsection (a), may be paid from the proceeds of public securities issued under Section 2210.072(a) before an occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured losses.]

SECTION 9. Sections 2210.072(a), (b), (b-1), (c), and (f), Insurance Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Losses not paid under Sections 2210.0715 and 2210.0716 [Section 2210.071(b)] shall be paid as provided by this section from the proceeds from Class 1 public securities authorized to be issued in accordance with Subchapter M before, on, or after the date of any occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured losses. Public securities issued under this section must be paid [repaid] within a period not to exceed 10 [14] years[,] and may be paid [repaid] sooner if the board of directors elects to do so and the commissioner approves.

(b) Public securities described by Subsection (a) that are issued before an occurrence or series of occurrences that results in incurred losses:

(1) may be issued on the request of the board of directors with the approval of the commissioner; and

(2) may not, in the aggregate, exceed $500 million [$1 billion] at any one time, regardless of the calendar year or years in which the outstanding public securities were issued.

(b-1) Public securities described by Subsection (a):

(1) shall be issued as necessary in a principal amount not to exceed $500 million [$1 billion] per catastrophe year, in the aggregate, for securities issued during that catastrophe year before the occurrence or series of occurrences that results in incurred losses in that year and securities issued on or after the date of that occurrence or series of occurrences, and regardless of whether for a single occurrence or a series of occurrences; and

(2) subject to the [$1 billion] maximum described by Subdivision (1), may be issued, in one or more issuances or tranches, during the calendar year in which the occurrence or series of occurrences occurs or, if the public securities cannot reasonably be issued in that year, during the following calendar year.

(c) If public securities are issued as described by this section, the public securities shall be paid [repaid] in the manner prescribed by Subchapter M [from association premium revenue].

(f) If, under Subsection (e), the proceeds of any outstanding public securities issued during a previous catastrophe year must be depleted, those proceeds shall count against the $500 million [$1 billion] limit on public securities described by this section in the catastrophe year in which the proceeds must be depleted.

SECTION 10. Subchapter B-1, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 2210.0725 to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.0725. PAYMENT FROM CLASS 2 ASSESSMENTS. (a) Losses in a catastrophe year not paid under Sections 2210.0715, 2210.0716, and 2210.072 shall be paid as provided by this section from Class 2 member assessments not to exceed $500 million for that catastrophe year.

(b) The administrator, with the approval of the commissioner, shall notify each member of the amount of the member's assessment under this section. The proportion of the losses allocable to each insurer under this section shall be determined in the manner used to determine each insurer's participation in the association for the year under Section 2210.052.

(c) A member of the association may not recoup an assessment paid under this section through a premium surcharge or tax credit.

SECTION 11. Section 2210.073, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.073. PAYMENT FROM CLASS 2 PUBLIC SECURITIES. (a) Losses not paid under Sections 2210.0715, 2210.0716, [2210.071 and] 2210.072, and 2210.0725 shall be paid as provided by this section from the proceeds from Class 2 public securities authorized to be issued in accordance with Subchapter M on or after the date of any occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured losses [under this subsection]. Public securities issued under this section must be paid [repaid] within a period not to exceed 10 years[,] and may be paid [repaid] sooner if the board of directors elects to do so and the commissioner approves.

(b) Public securities described by Subsection (a):

(1) shall [may] be issued as necessary in a principal amount not to exceed $500 million [$1 billion] per catastrophe year, in the aggregate, whether for a single occurrence or a series of occurrences; and

(2) subject to the [$1 billion] maximum described by Subdivision (1), may be issued, in one or more issuances or tranches, during the calendar year in which the occurrence or series of occurrences occurs or, if the public securities cannot reasonably be issued in that year, during the following calendar year.

(c) If the losses are paid with public securities described by this section, the public securities shall be paid [repaid] in the manner prescribed by Subchapter M.

SECTION 12. Section 2210.102, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.102. COMPOSITION. (a) The board of directors is composed of nine members appointed by the governor [commissioner] in accordance with this section.

(b) Three [Four] members must be representatives of the insurance industry who actively write and renew windstorm and hail insurance in the first tier coastal counties.

(c) Three [Four] members must, as of the date of the appointment, reside in the first tier coastal counties. Each of the following regions must be represented by a member residing in the region and [At least one of the members] appointed under this subsection:

(1) the region consisting of Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties;

(2) the region consisting of Aransas, Calhoun, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio Counties; and

(3) the region consisting of Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, and Matagorda Counties and any part of Harris County designated as a catastrophe area under Section 2210.005.

(c-1) One of the members appointed under Subsection (c) must be a property and casualty agent who is licensed under this code and is not a captive agent.

(d) One member must be a representative of an area of this state that is not located in the seacoast territory [with demonstrated expertise in insurance and actuarial principles].

(d-1) One member must be an engineer who:

(1) is knowledgeable of, and has professional expertise in, wind-related design and construction practices in coastal areas that are subject to high winds and hurricanes; and

(2) resides in a second tier coastal county.

(d-2) One member must be a representative of the financial industry who resides in a second tier coastal county.

(e) All members must have demonstrated experience in insurance, general business, or actuarial principles and the member's area of expertise, if any, sufficient to make the success of the association probable.

(f) Insurers who are members of the association shall nominate, from among those members, persons to fill any vacancy in the three [four] board of director seats reserved for representatives of the insurance industry. The board of directors shall solicit nominations from the members and submit the nominations to the governor [commissioner]. The nominee slate submitted to the governor [commissioner] under this subsection must include at least three more names than the number of vacancies. The governor may [commissioner shall] appoint replacement insurance industry representatives from the nominee slate.

(g) In addition to the nine members appointed under Subsection (a), the governor [The commissioner] shall appoint three individuals [one person] to serve as [a] nonvoting ex officio members [member] of the board to advise the board [regarding issues relating to the inspection process. The commissioner may give preference in an appointment under this subsection to a person who is a qualified inspector under Section 2210.254]. Each [The] nonvoting member appointed under this section must:

(1) hold an elective office of this state or a political subdivision of this state; and

(2) reside in and represent one of the following areas:

(A) the northern portion of the seacoast territory [be an engineer licensed by, and in good standing with, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers];

(B) the southern portion of the seacoast territory [(2) reside in a first tier coastal county]; or [and]

(C) an area of this state that is not located in the seacoast territory [(3) be knowledgeable of, and have professional expertise in, wind-related design and construction practices in coastal areas that are subject to high winds and hurricanes].

(h) The persons appointed under Subsection (g) [(c)] must each reside in a [be from] different area described by Subsection (g)(2) and in different counties.

SECTION 13. Section 2210.103(c), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) A member of the board of directors may be removed by the governor [commissioner] with cause stated in writing and posted on the association's website. The governor [commissioner] shall appoint a replacement in accordance with [the manner provided by] Section 2210.102 for a member who leaves or is removed from the board of directors.

SECTION 14. Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D-1. PRIMARY INSURER

Sec. 2210.175. ADMINISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF ASSOCIATION POLICIES AND ADJUSTMENT AND PROCESSING OF CLAIMS BY PRIMARY INSURER. (a) A primary insurer that has primary coverage on property for loss by fire shall administer and issue an association policy providing windstorm and hail insurance coverage for the same property and adjust and process all claims made on the association policy in accordance with this chapter, the plan of operation, and the contract entered into under Section 2210.063.

(b) An insurer acting under this chapter is an agent of the association for purposes of Sections 2210.014 and 2210.572.

(c) An insurer acting in accordance with this section is not liable for any amount payable under the terms of the association policy.

SECTION 15. Subchapter E, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Sections 2210.2022 and 2210.211 to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.2022. INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN APPLICATIONS. An application for association coverage, including an application for new or renewal coverage on or after January 1, 2016, must include information on any policy covering the property for perils other than windstorm and hail, including:

(1) the total premium for the policy, including a policy number for coverage issued by the FAIR Plan Association under Chapter 2211, if applicable, and:

(A) the amount of insurance on the dwelling and contents provided by the policy; or

(B) if the policy is a tenants policy or condominium owners policy, the insured amount for the contents coverage; and

(2) the deductibles applicable for the policy.

Sec. 2210.211. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), all information, data, and databases collected and used under Section 2210.2022 are confidential information not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

(b) Information described by Subsection (a) may be used for the purposes and in the manner described by this chapter and Chapter 2211.

SECTION 16. The heading to Subchapter J, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER J. CATASTROPHE RESERVE TRUST FUND; [AND] REINSURANCE AND

ALTERNATIVE RISK FINANCING [PROGRAM]

SECTION 17. Section 2210.452, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules under which the association makes payments to the catastrophe reserve trust fund. Except as otherwise specifically provided by this section, the [The] trust fund may be used only for purposes directly related to funding the payment of insured losses, including:

(1) funding [to fund] the obligations of the trust fund under Subchapter B-1; and

(2) purchasing reinsurance or using alternative risk financing mechanisms under Section 2210.453.

(c) At the end of each calendar year or policy year, the association shall use the net gain from operations of the association, including all premium and other revenue of the association in excess of incurred losses, operating expenses, public security obligations, and public security administrative expenses, to make payments to the trust fund, [to] procure reinsurance, or use alternative risk financing mechanisms, or to make payments to the trust fund and [to] procure reinsurance or use alternative risk financing mechanisms.

(d) The commissioner by rule shall establish the procedure relating to the disbursement of money from the trust fund to policyholders and for association administrative expenses directly related to funding the payment of insured losses in the event of an occurrence or series of occurrences within a catastrophe area that results in a disbursement under Subchapter B-1.

(f) The commissioner by rule shall establish the procedure relating to the disbursement of money from the trust fund to pay for operating expenses, including reinsurance or alternative risk financing mechanisms under Section 2210.453, if the association does not have sufficient premium and other revenue.

SECTION 18. Section 2210.453, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.453. REINSURANCE AND ALTERNATIVE RISK FINANCING MECHANISMS. (a) The association shall [may:

[(1) make payments into the trust fund; and

[(2)] purchase reinsurance or use alternative risk financing mechanisms in an amount equal to the probable maximum loss for the association for a catastrophe year with a probability of one in 100.

(b) Any [The association may purchase] reinsurance purchased or alternative risk financing mechanism used under this section operates [that operates] in addition to [or in concert with the trust fund,] public securities, other approved financial instruments, and assessments authorized by this chapter.

(c) The attachment point for reinsurance purchased under this section may not be less than the aggregate amount of all funding available to the association under Subchapter B-1. [If the association does not purchase reinsurance as authorized by this section, the board, not later than June 1 of each year, shall submit to the commissioner, the legislative oversight board established under Subchapter N, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report containing an actuarial plan for paying losses in the event of a catastrophe with estimated damages of $2.5 billion or more. The report required by this subsection must:

[(1) document and denominate the association's resources available to pay claims, including cash or other highly liquid assets, assessments that the association is projected to impose, pre-event and post-event bonding capacity, and private-sector recognized risk-transfer mechanisms, including catastrophe bonds and reinsurance;

[(2) include an independent, third-party appraisal of the likelihood of an assessment, the maximum potential size of the assessment, and an estimate of the probability that the assessment would not be adequate to meet the association's needs; and

[(3) include an analysis of financing alternatives to assessments that includes the costs of borrowing and the consequences that additional purchase of reinsurance, catastrophe bonds, or other private-sector recognized risk-transfer instruments would have in reducing the size or potential of assessments.

[(d) A person who prepares a report required by Subsection (c) may not contract to provide any other service to the association, except for the preparation of similar reports, before the third anniversary of the date the last report prepared by the person under that subsection is submitted.

[(e) The report submitted under this section is for informational purposes only and does not bind the association to a particular course of action.]

SECTION 19. Section 2210.602, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (2-a) and (3-a) to read as follows:

(2-a) "Class 1 public security trust fund" means the dedicated trust fund established by the board and held by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company into which premium surcharges collected under Section 2210.612 for the purpose of repaying Class 1 public securities are deposited.

(3-a) "Class 2 public security trust fund" means the dedicated trust fund established by the board and held by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company into which premium surcharges collected under Section 2210.613 for the purpose of repaying Class 2 public securities are deposited.

SECTION 20. Section 2210.604(a), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) At the request of the association and with the approval of the commissioner, the Texas Public Finance Authority shall issue Class 1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class 3] public securities. The association shall submit to the commissioner a cost-benefit analysis of various financing methods and funding structures when requesting the issuance of public securities under this subsection.

SECTION 21. Section 2210.609, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.609. REPAYMENT OF ASSOCIATION'S PUBLIC SECURITY OBLIGATIONS. (a) The board and the association shall enter into an agreement under which the association shall provide for the payment of all public security obligations from available funds collected by the association and deposited as required by this subchapter [into the public security obligation revenue fund]. If the association determines that it is unable to pay the public security obligations and public security administrative expenses, if any, with available funds, the association shall pay those obligations and expenses in accordance with Sections 2210.612 and [,] 2210.613, [2210.6135, and 2210.6136] as applicable. Class 1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class 3] public securities may be issued on a parity or subordinate lien basis with other Class 1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class 3] public securities, respectively.

(b) If any public securities issued under this chapter are outstanding, the authority shall notify the association of the amount of the public security obligations and the estimated amount of public security administrative expenses, if any, each calendar year in a period sufficient, as determined by the association, to permit the association to determine the availability of funds[, assess members of the association under Sections 2210.613 and 2210.6135,] and assess a premium surcharge if necessary.

(c) The association shall deposit all revenue collected under Section 2210.612 in the Class 1 public security trust fund and [public security obligation revenue fund,] all revenue collected under Section 2210.613 [2210.613(b)] in the Class 2 public security trust fund [premium surcharge trust fund, and all revenue collected under Sections 2210.613(a) and 2210.6135 in the member assessment trust fund]. Money deposited in a fund may be invested as permitted by general law. Money in a fund required to be used to pay public security obligations and public security administrative expenses, if any, shall be transferred to the appropriate funds in the manner and at the time specified in the proceedings authorizing the public securities to ensure timely payment of obligations and expenses. This may include the board establishing funds and accounts with the comptroller that the board determines are necessary to administer and repay the public security obligations. If the association has not transferred amounts sufficient to pay the public security obligations to the board's designated interest and sinking fund in a timely manner, the board may direct the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company to transfer from the Class 1 public security trust fund [public security obligation revenue fund, the premium surcharge trust fund,] or the Class 2 public security trust fund [member assessment trust fund] to the appropriate account the amount necessary to pay the public security obligation.

(d) The association shall provide for the payment of the public security obligations and the public security administrative expenses by irrevocably pledging revenues received from premiums, [member assessments,] premium surcharges, and amounts on deposit in the Class 1 public security trust fund [public security obligation revenue fund, the premium surcharge trust fund,] and the Class 2 public security trust fund [member assessment trust fund], together with any public security reserve fund, as provided in the proceedings authorizing the public securities and related credit agreements.

(e) An amount owed by the board under a credit agreement shall be payable from and secured by a pledge of revenues received by the association [or amounts from the public security obligation trust fund], the Class 1 public security trust fund [premium surcharge trust fund], and the Class 2 public security trust fund [member assessment trust fund] to the extent provided in the proceedings authorizing the credit agreement.

SECTION 22. Section 2210.610(a), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Revenues received from the premium surcharges under Sections 2210.612 and [Section] 2210.613 [and member assessments under Sections 2210.613 and 2210.6135] may be applied only as provided by this subchapter.

SECTION 23. Section 2210.611, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.611. EXCESS REVENUE COLLECTIONS AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS. Revenue collected in any calendar year from a premium surcharge under Sections 2210.612 and [Section] 2210.613 [and member assessments under Sections 2210.613 and 2210.6135] that exceeds the amount of the public security obligations and public security administrative expenses payable in that calendar year and interest earned on the funds [public security obligation fund] may, in the discretion of the association, be:

(1) used to pay public security obligations payable in the subsequent calendar year, offsetting the amount of the premium surcharge [and member assessments, as applicable,] that would otherwise be required to be levied for the year under this subchapter;

(2) used to redeem or purchase outstanding public securities; or

(3) deposited in the catastrophe reserve trust fund.

SECTION 24. Section 2210.612, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.612. PAYMENT OF CLASS 1 PUBLIC SECURITIES. (a) The association shall pay Class 1 public securities issued under Section 2210.072 from:

(1) [its] net premium and other revenue; and

(2) if net premium and other revenue are not sufficient to pay the securities, a catastrophe area premium surcharge collected in accordance with this section.

(b) On approval by the commissioner, the association shall assess, as provided by this section, a premium surcharge to each policyholder of a policy described by Subsection (c). The premium surcharge must be set in an amount sufficient to pay, for the duration of the issued public securities, all debt service not already covered by available funds and all related expenses on the public securities.

(c) The premium surcharge under this section shall be assessed on all policyholders of association policies issued under this chapter.

(d) A premium surcharge under this section is a separate charge in addition to the premiums collected and is not subject to premium tax or commissions. Failure by a policyholder to pay the surcharge constitutes failure to pay premium for purposes of policy cancellation.

(e) [(b)] The association may enter financing arrangements as described by Section 2210.072(d) as necessary to obtain public securities issued under Section 2210.072. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the authorization and creation of one or more programs for the issuance of commercial paper before the date of an occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured losses under Section 2210.072(a).

SECTION 25. Section 2210.613, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.613. PAYMENT OF CLASS 2 PUBLIC SECURITIES. (a) The association shall pay Class 2 public securities issued under Section 2210.073 from:

(1) net premium and other revenue; and

(2) if net premium and other revenue are not sufficient to pay the securities, a catastrophe area premium surcharge collected in accordance with this section.

(b) On approval by the commissioner, the association and each insurer that provides insurance in a catastrophe area shall assess, as provided by this section, a premium surcharge to each policyholder of a policy described by Subsection (c). The premium surcharge must be set in an amount sufficient to pay, for the duration of the issued public securities, all debt service not already covered by available funds and all related expenses on the public securities [as provided by this section. Thirty percent of the cost of the public securities shall be paid through member assessments as provided by this section. The association shall notify each member of the association of the amount of the member's assessment under this section. The proportion of the losses allocable to each insurer under this section shall be determined in the manner used to determine each insurer's participation in the association for the year under Section 2210.052. A member of the association may not recoup an assessment paid under this subsection through a premium surcharge or tax credit].

[(b) Seventy percent of the cost of the public securities shall be paid by a premium surcharge collected under this section in an amount set by the commissioner. On approval by the commissioner, each insurer, the association, and the Texas FAIR Plan Association shall assess, as provided by this section, a premium surcharge to each policyholder of a policy that is in effect on or after the 180th day after the date the commissioner issues notice of the approval of the public securities. The premium surcharge must be set in an amount sufficient to pay, for the duration of the issued public securities, all debt service not already covered by available funds or member assessments and all related expenses on the public securities.]

(c) The premium surcharge under this section [Subsection (b)] shall be assessed on all policyholders of policies that cover insured property that is located in a catastrophe area, including automobiles principally garaged in a catastrophe area. The premium surcharge shall be assessed on each Texas windstorm and hail insurance policy and each property and casualty insurance policy, including an automobile insurance policy, issued for automobiles and other property located in the catastrophe area. The [A] premium surcharge [under Subsection (b)] applies to:

(1) all policies written under the following lines of insurance:

(A) fire and allied lines;

(B) farm and ranch owners;

(C) residential property insurance;

(D) private passenger automobile liability and physical damage insurance; and

(E) commercial automobile liability and physical damage insurance; and

(2) the property insurance portion of a commercial multiple peril insurance policy.

(d) A premium surcharge under this section [Subsection (b)] is a separate charge in addition to the premiums collected and is not subject to premium tax or commissions. Failure by a policyholder to pay the surcharge constitutes failure to pay premium for purposes of policy cancellation.

SECTION 26. Section 2210.614, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.614. REFINANCING PUBLIC SECURITIES. The association may request the board to refinance any public securities issued in accordance with Subchapter B-1, whether Class 1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class 3] public securities, with public securities payable from the same sources as the original public securities.

SECTION 27. Section 2210.616(a), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The state pledges for the benefit and protection of financing parties, the board, and the association that the state will not take or permit any action that would:

(1) impair the collection of [member assessments and] premium surcharges or the deposit of those funds into the Class 1 public security [member assessment] trust fund or Class 2 public security [premium surcharge] trust fund;

(2) reduce, alter, or impair the [member assessments or] premium surcharges to be imposed, collected, and remitted to financing parties until the principal, interest, and premium, and any other charges incurred and contracts to be performed in connection with the related public securities, have been paid and performed in full; or

(3) in any way impair the rights and remedies of the public security owners until the public securities are fully discharged.

SECTION 28. Section 2210.6165, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2210.6165. PROPERTY RIGHTS. If public securities issued under this subchapter are outstanding, the rights and interests of the association, a successor to the association, any member of the association, or any member of the Texas FAIR Plan Association, including the right to impose, collect, and receive a premium surcharge [or a member assessment] authorized under this subchapter, are only contract rights until those revenues are first pledged for the repayment of the association's public security obligations as provided by Section 2210.609.

SECTION 29. The following provisions of Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, are repealed:

(1) Section 2210.074;

(2) Sections 2210.602(4), (5-a), (6-b), (6-c), and (10);

(3) Section 2210.605(c); and

(4) Sections 2210.6135 and 2210.6136.

SECTION 30. (a) The board of directors of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association established under Section 2210.102, Insurance Code, as that section existed before amendment by this Act, is abolished effective October 1, 2015.

(b) The governor shall appoint the members of the board of directors of the Texas Coastal Insurance Association under Section 2210.102, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act, effective October 1, 2015. The initial directors shall draw lots to achieve staggered terms, with three of the directors serving one-year terms, three of the directors serving two-year terms, and three of the directors serving three-year terms.

(c) The term of a person who is serving as a member of the board of directors of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association immediately before the abolition of that board under Subsection (a) of this section expires on October 1, 2015. Such a person is eligible for appointment by the governor to the new board of directors of the Texas Coastal Insurance Association under Section 2210.102, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act.

(d) Section 2210.175, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, applies only to administering or issuing a policy or adjusting or processing a claim under a policy issued on or after January 1, 2016.

(e) Subchapter M, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, as it existed before the effective date of this Act, is applicable to bond obligations incurred under Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

(f) It is the intent of the legislature that each member of the legislative oversight board appointed under Section 2210.652, Insurance Code, and serving on the effective date of this Act continues to serve after the effective date of this Act until a successor is appointed under that section.

SECTION 31. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.